where art thou?

Florence itself is like a work of art- from the beautiful architecture to the outdoor statues and spaces. You will fall in love with the city and be spoilt by its aesthetics- all of which are free to enjoy. If you’re an art lover Florence has many museums that you can visit whilst attending ICS 2017. Here are some suggestions for your visit:

Renaissance Art

Galleria degli - The Uffizi Gallery’s collection includes priceless masterpieces and works of art in its over 45 museum halls. There are dozens of renaissance master pieces like Botticelli’s The birth of Venus and Primavera, Titans Venus of Urbino and Da Vinci’s Annunciation to name but a few. If you wish to while away an afternoon and love the renaissance period then this is the museum for you.

Top tip- Book your tickets online to avoid the queues. Alternatively book a private tour to maximise your time at the museum.

Palazzo Pitti- The palace houses several important museums- silver, costume, modern art and the Contini Bonacossi collection. You can purchase a ticket to view one collection or a full ticket that will allow you access to all exhibitions (excluding the Contini Bonacossi) depending upon the time you have available and your personal preferences.

The Contini Bonacossi collection moved from the Uffizi Gallery in 1993 to the Palazzo due to a lack of space within the main museum, it includes many masterpieces by famous Tuscan artists, such as Cimabue, Agnolo Gaddi and Andrea del Castagno. As well as artwork by renowned European and Italian artists such as Francisco Goya and El Greco, Veronese, Tintoretto and Bernini.

In particular, the collection includes the breath taking “Virgin Mary with Child and Saints” by Andrea del Castagno, the beautiful “Our Lady of the Snow” by Sassetta, and the finely detailed “St. Jerome” by Giovanni Bellini. Unfortunately, the collection is generally closed to the public because the museum has a shortage of staff. However, the Uffizi Gallery generally offers special free guided visits a few times each year to offer visitors a chance to admire the collection’s masterpieces. Notice of these special openings are given on the “News” section of their website.

Top tip- The best time to visit is 1st thing in the morning or just before lunch.

Modern art

If contemporary or modern art is your thing then Florence has a number of museums for you! Visit the Palazzo Strozzi museum, the Accademia, Museo Marino Marini, and the . All these museums often present contemporary exhibitions temporarily displayed alongside their historic collections to attract a wider audience, so be on the lookout for these special opportunities.

Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi- Since its inception, the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi has clearly declared its mission to be ‘not just exhibitions’. The Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi uses its exhibitions to create exciting new ways for tourists and citizens alike to explore the city, the county and the entire region of Tuscany. These innovative programmes include special itineraries, guided visits to the studios of contemporary artists, travelling street theatre performances and international conferences. The main ‘laboratory’ is the Palazzo Strozzi, but the experiments happen throughout the city and beyond.

Top tip- This isn’t a touristy museum so queues are likely to be minimal, but if you want to ensure you avoid a queue then the best time to go is after lunch.

Aria Art Gallery- The gallery was established in 2009 in the heart of the city. An antique tropical garden leads to the exhibition space. There are 3 rooms that compose the exhibition space, the shows are wide ranging. Past exhibitions have included Auguste Rodin, Amedeo Modigliani and Andy Warhol.

Top tip- Make sure you check the opening hours, often Monday

If you are arriving before the ICS meeting then you could visit some of the above museums for free! All of ’s state museums offer free entrance to everyone on the first Sunday of every month!! A list of these museums is available to view here.

Free Art

If you prefer to view art in a more informal setting, without the cover charge or you just don’t fancy being stuck indoors then visit the . It offers the greatest amount of free art in one location. View the fountain of Neptune, a replica of and a range of statues in bronze, marble and limestone.

Top Tip- Some of the best art can be found in churches throughout the city. If you see an open church go in! Due to the religious history in Italy, a lot of Italy’s many art and architectural masterpieces can be found hidden in churches.

Also keep an eye out for street artist Clet’s (the Florentine version of Banksy) work around Florence. Clet is known for his work altering street signs, turning them into a work of art whilst still maintaining their official purpose.

An example of Clet’s work

If you like his work then why not visit his studio in San Niccolò (Via dell’Olmo, 8/red, Florence) where you can purchase some of his designs!?! This would be a fantastic memento of your time in Florence and a must for any street artist fans.

Additional Information

 Galleria degli Uffizi: http://www.uffizi.com/

 Italy’s state museums https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-museums/list-state- museums-in-florence.html  Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi http://www.palazzostrozzi.org/eventi-in-corso-2/?lang=en  Contemporary art gallery’s https://saci-art.com/2013/10/03/contemporary-art-galleries-in- florence-italy/  Aria Art Gallery https://ariaartgallery.com/  Turn left ... for love: Clet Abraham's hacked street signs – in pictures https://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2015/may/21/clet-abraham-hacked-street- signs-in-pictures  Clet’s Studio in San Niccolò – Florence http://www.turismo.intoscana.it/allthingstuscany/aroundtuscany/clet-studio-florence/